Annotated Bibliography

"2015 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures." Alzheimer's Disease Facts and
Figures 11.6 (2015): 188. Alzheimer's Association . Web. 11 Nov. 2015.
<https://www.alz.org/facts/downloads/facts_figures_2015.pdf>.
The article overviews the significant aspects of Alzheimers disease including:
symptoms, genetic mutations, risk factors, diagnoses, and treatments. As a result of the
accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles inside and outside of neurons, the transfer of
information through synapses decline and neurons begin to die. Alzheimers is now viewed by
neurologists as not only a genetic mutation, but several external factors may influence the
development of AD such as: age, level of education, cognitive and social engagement, traumatic
brain injury, aluminum exposure, and cardiovascular disease. Recently, multiple drugs used as
treatment for Alzheimers disease are passed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
however, their only effectiveness thus far is reducing the symptoms of AD. Moreover, the
diagnosis process of Alzheimers disease has changed over the years from biomarker tests to
cognitive memory exams.
The article is helpful since it thoroughly discusses the significant information regarding
Alzheimers disease such as external causes of AD, development of treatments, and diagnoses.
The articles effective usage of recent data, medical terminology, and reference to many
important agencies such as the CDC and FDA shows the Alzheimers Associations lack of bias
and credibility. This article would be helpful to someone interested in the latest information of
the development of treatments and external causes of AD by providing quantitative and
qualitative data.
Barnard, Neal D., et al. "Dietary and Lifestyle Guidelines for the Prevention of
Alzheimer's Disease." Neurobiology of Aging 35.2 (2014): 74-78.
ScienceDirect. Web. 9 Oct. 2015. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/
science/article/pii/S0197458014003480>.
The article discusses the various causes of Alzheimers disease such as age and genetics.
However, current research suggests that lifestyle factors such as obesity, cardiovascular disease,
and diabetes may also be linked to the development of early-onset Alzheimers. According to
toxicologists, ways to prevent Alzheimers from developing include eating more vegetables,
increasing vitamin B-12 and vitamin E intake, exercising at least three times a week, and
sleeping for seven to eight hours. Multiple studies have concluded that a high vitamin E intake is
associated with a lower risk of Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. Another form of
prevention is to limit exposure to aluminum although it is only in the early stages of research,
studies in the United Kingdom found where a higher concentration of aluminum was present in
water, a significant amount of patients were diagnosed with Alzheimers.
The article is helpful since it addresses new ways to prevent Alzheimers disease such as
increasing vitamin E intake and avoiding aluminum products. The articles effective usage of
medical terminology and references to other studies show the authors lack of bias and
credibility. The article would be helpful to someone who is researching ways to prevent
Alzheimers disease, and applied by looking at several case studies in order to determine whether
or not exposure to aluminum is a risk factor for the development of Alzheimers.

Bettens, Karolien, PhD, Kristel Sleegers, PhD, and Christine Van Broeckhoven,
Prof. "Genetic insights in Alzheimer's disease." The Lancent Neurology 12.1
(2013): 92-102. Science Direct. Web. 11 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/laneur/
PIIS1474-4422%2812%2970259-4.pdf>.
The article analyzes the exploration and identification of new relationships between
genetic components and the development of early-onset Alzheimers disease. Neurological
symptoms of Alzheimers include loss of memory, disorientation, and difficulty performing
familiar tasks. Research suggests that a person with the APOE 4 allele, a semi-dominant risk
factor gene for AD, have about three times higher chance of developing early-onset Alzheimers.
However, APOE is not yet proven to be correlated with the cause of Alzheimers and dementia.
Moreover, the relationships between the genetic compositions of Alzheimers disease patients
implies there is a differing in their genetic causes of the disease, meaning further screenings with
new technology is required to find the genes directly associated with Alzheimers.
The article was very helpful through its extremely thorough and clear explanation of the
possible causes and genes associated with Alzheimers disease. The articles usage of data from
MRI, CAT, and genome screenings creates a strong and effective argument for the need to
explore the disease mechanism of Alzheimers, promoting the articles credibility. The article
would be useful to someone who wants to know the genetic makeup of a patient with
Alzheimers and the causes of the disease and would be applied to a research project concerning
possible causes of AD.
Bredesen, Dale E. "Metabolic Profiling Distinguishes Three Subtypes of
Alzheimer's Disease." AGING 7.8 (2015): 595-600. NCBI. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586104/>.
The source discusses the role of metabolic factors in the neurodegenerative process,
which is proven by clinical evaluations showing that abnormal metabolic characteristics are
present in patients with dementia, prior to the patients diagnosis of Alzheimers (AD). The
author classifies the abnormal metabolic factors of a patient in three subtypes: inflammatory,
non-inflammatory, and cortical. Inflammatory, the first type, causes damage to hippocampus and
cerebral non-inflammatory is associated with the defects of ApoE4, a common marker for
Alzheimers disease, and insulin resistance Cortical contains non-amnestic characteristics such
as patients with a lack of family history of Alzheimers and test negative for ApoE4, however
Alzheimers develops in the patient. The author conducts a case study which examined the status
of several AD patients, such as determining the results of MRI, FDG-PET, family history,
MoCA, memory, and FLAIR exams. The researcher discovers another abnormal metabolic factor
concerning zinc deficiency causes insulin resistance, which directly affects cognitive
performance, increases inflammation, increases of infection, and reduces hormone functions.
The article is helpful since it demonstrates case studies which discover new
classifications of Alzheimers disease, which allows therapeutic trials to be more subjective to
the specific subtypes of AD and introduces a new relationship of zinc deficiency and the
development of Alzheimers. The article effectively uses data from the authors case study,

neurological terminology, and references to related studies in order to support the correlation of
metabolic abnormalities and cognitive decline. This case study would be helpful to someone
researching the causes of Alzheimers disease through lifestyle and environmental causes, such
as the third subtype: cortical, and zinc deficiencies impact of memory and dementia.

Bredesen, Dale E. "Reversal of Cognitive Decline: A Novel Therapeutic Program."

AGING 6.9 (2014): 1-11. ImpactAging. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.
<http://www.impactaging.com/papers/v6/n9/full/100690.html>.
The article discusses the usage of therapeutic techniques on relieving the symptoms and
progression of Alzheimers. The researcher conduct a model using in vivo and in vitro,
demonstrating the imbalance of synaptic plastic and synapto clastic activity. Moreover, the
manipulation of plasticity balance is reflected by the APP imbalance, leading to effects on
cognitive abilities. The researcher had multiple patients participate in a study in which many
therapeutic methods, such as increasing Vitamin E intake, eight hours of sleep, yoga,
antiinflammatory
diet, and increase of exercise, in order to view their effects on the status of their
progression of dementia. The results of most of the patients were clear improvements in the
patients memory and hindrance of dementia.
The article is helpful since it introduced new therapeutic programs which can reverse
cognitive decline, adding new knowledge to the world of science. The articles effective usage of
medical terms and references to data show the authors lack of bias and credibility. The article
would be helpful to someone who is researching ways to reverse the effects of Alzheimers
disease and improve memory and learning abilities.
Gold, Brian T., et al. "Lifelong Bilingualism Maintains Neutral Efficiency for
Cognitive Control in Aging." The Journal of Neuroscience 33.2 (2013):
387-96. Jneurosci. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. <http://www.jneurosci.org/content/
33/2/387.full.pdf+html>.
The researchers conduct a case study pertaining to the effect of bilingualism on cognitive
decline. The case study consists of two different experiments, which observe the ability of
bilingual senior citizens and young adults to complete tasks as opposed to monolingual senior
citizens and young adults. The task consists of colored circles and squares, and each time the
question would randomly alternate between asking for the shape of the object on the screen or its
color. The first experiment shows senior bilinguals have a better performance at switching tasks
than monolingual seniors do. In the second experiment, younger and senior monolinguals and
bilinguals completed the same task from the first experiment, while using fMRI. Moreover,
behavioral results of both experiments are consistent with previous behavioral and neurological
studies associated with lifelong bilingualism in senior citizens than young adults. The results
conclude that lifelong bilingual people who continuously switch between two languages
strengthens the left prefrontal cortex and ACC and maintains neural efficiency in aging.
Additionally, bilingualism may have an impact in reducing the chances of cognitive decline.

The article is helpful since it addresses a new relationship to preventions for Alzheimers
disease, causing an increase of research in the effects of bilingualism of the deceleration of
cognitive decline. The articles effective usage of data, references to other significant studies
promotes the authors credibility. The article would be beneficial to a person interested in
neurological preventions of Alzheimers disease by providing data from specific experiments
regarding the ability and neurological activity of bilingual and monolingual participants.
Additionally, the experiment is evidence that schools should offer language classes, which could
affect their cognitive abilities in the future.
"Guidance for Industry Alzheimer's Disease: Developing Drugs for the Treatment
of Early Stage Disease." Center for Drug Evaluation and Research 1.4 (2013): 010.
FDA . Web. 30 Nov. 2015. <http://www.fda.gov/downloads/
drugs/guidancecomplianceregulatoryinformation/guidances/ucm338287.pdf>.
The research article discusses the results of various clinical trials pertaining the
development of drugs for early onset Alzheimers. The researchers observe that in the earliest
stages of AD, only small cognitive deficits are present making it difficult to establish a cognitive
benefit during the trial. The participants are divided into placebo pills and treatment pills, in
which the results are inconclusive, requiring further testing. The drug approval for Alzheimers
disease based on biomarkers has a lower approval rate however, there is not enough evidence to
prove or disprove this. The FDA has not yet developed a conclusion on the effectiveness of the
drug on the decline of cognitive impairment however, toxicologists and neurologists are creating
modifications to the drug in order to have less sideeffects
and show a larger decrease in
dementia.
The research article is helpful since it demonstrates a clinical trial in which a possible
cure for early onset AD may be identified. The article effectively uses data from the case study
and observations of the effect of the pills on participants. This case study would be helpful to
someone researching the development of drug treatment for Alzheimers disease and possible
cures of cognitive impairment.
Johnson, Victor Johnnie. Aluminum Neurotoxicity Involves Oxidative Stress,
Inflamation and Apoptosis: Implications for Neurodegeneration . N.p.: The
University of Georgia, 2002. University of Georgia Library . Web. 3 Dec.
2015. <https://getd.libs.uga.edu/pdfs/johnson_victor_j_200208_phd.pdf
The research report focuses on the neurotoxicity of aluminium (Al) exposure in the
environment and its effects on the human body and cognitive impairment. During an analysis of
patients exposed to aluminium in nature, the amount of patients diagnosed as dementia increased
15 fold the amount in an area with lower concentrations of Al. Additionally, rapid oxidation
levels of metals in the environment causes an accelerates the progression of Alzheimers disease
(AD), such as canned foods. A recent experiment demonstrates that Al exposure in food products
the accelerates disease progression in transgenic mice, expressing the amyloid protein A. In
another experiment conducted by the researcher, the Al treated in vitro of microglial cells
resulted in the mutation of mRNA. This shows that the inhibition of Al induces negative

neuropathological changes in the brain. Moreover, oxidative stress and the loss of fluid in the
membrane due to Al exposure correlate with biomarkers of AD.
The report is a helpful source since it contains an abundance of data for each experiment
the researcher conducted with an explanation of the findings. The report effectively uses graphs,
tables, and charts to present the data and variables of each experiment. Moreover, the report
alludes to similar case studies, whose results are consistent with the researchers findings. The
research report would be helpful to someone conducted document and data analysis on the
effects of Al exposure on the development of Alzheimers disease.
Kawahara, Masahiro, and Midori Kato-Negishi. "Link between Aluminum and the
Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease: The Integration of the Aluminum and
Amyloid Cascade Hypotheses." International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2011.1
(2011): 273304. NCBI . Web. 26 Oct.
2015.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056430>.
The article discusses the relationship between aluminum exposure and the development
of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers. The aluminum (Al) hypothesis is a highly
controversial topic, however current research suggests that aluminum poisoning may be a
possible factor for memory disorders. Additionally, Al in pharmacological compounds caused
Alzheimers in dialysis patients. A reason for controversy for the aluminum hypothesis might be
the imprecise measurements of Al in the brain based on a fixed tissue. High concentrations of Al
in water, according to a French study, women were developing symptoms of cognitive
impairment from drinking tap water.
The article is helpful since it demonstrates case studies which discover a new possible
cause of Alzheimers disease and introduces a new relationship between aluminum exposure
and the development of Alzheimers disease. The article effectively uses data from several case
studies, neurological terminology, and references to related studies in order to support the
correlation of Al and cognitive decline. This case study would be helpful to someone
researching the causes of Alzheimers disease through lifestyle and environmental causes, such
as high concentrations of Al in products and water.
Kerchner, Geoffrey A., MD, PhD. The Latest on Alzheimer's Disease Research.
Stanford University. Stanford Health Care. Stanford University, 29 Jan.
2014. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. <https://stanfordhealthcare.org/
stanford-health-now/health-library-videos/alzheimers-disease-research.html>.
The lecture discusses the latest discoveries in the diagnosis and screenings of
Alzheimers disease. The speaker, a professor in neuroscience and neurology in the Stanford
School of Medicine, thoroughly explains the process and significance of diagnosing a patient
with Alzheimers disease by performing many tests, such as a MRI, PET, EEG, and memory
exams. The memory test includes the neurologist assigning three words to the patient and then
asking them to recite them back after twenty minutes of distractors. Additionally, the speaker
goes into the details of the different characteristics of Alzheimers found upon autopsy such as
finding the amount of neurofibrillary tangles and neurotic plaques. Scientists are conducting

recent studies, which have shown that certain medications such as Aricept, Galantamine,
Rivastigmine, and Memantine, all with approval by the FDA, may reduce the symptoms of
Alzheimers disease in a patient however, they are not curative drugs.
The lecture is a helpful source since the speaker clearly articulates important findings in
the neurodegeneration of Alzheimers and diagnosis of the disease. The speakers previous
medical background as a professor in the field with both and MD and PhD increases his
credibility and effectively promotes new ways to diagnose patients efficiently and correctly. The
lecture is helpful someone who wants to learn how patients are diagnosed with Alzheimers and
will be used to conduct further research on the specific criterion specifications are to participate
in clinical trials in order to find a cure for Alzheimers.
Mangialasche, Francesca, et al. "Alzheimers disease: Clinical trials and drug
development." The Lancet Neurology 9.7 (2010): 70216. ResearchGate . Web.
10 Nov. 2015. <http://www.researchgate.net/publication/
45101239_Alzheimers_disease_Clinical_trials_and_drug_development>.
The article discusses the effectiveness of three types of drugs used as a treatment for
Alzheimers disease: those that prevent the accumulation of A plaques and tau, those that affect
neurotransmission, and those that restore the growth factors. Neuropathology of AD is
characterized with the loss of forebrain cholinergic neurons, leading to a decrease in cholinergic
transmission, which can be semitreated with acetylcholinesterase. Moreover, the FDA has
approved many drugs that claim to possibly decrease A toxicity, such as secretase.
However, it is still unclear whether or not A is toxic and how it affects neuropathology. Besides
the usage of drugs, there are also therapies that claim to reverse some of the effects of dementia.
For instance, active immunotherapy guarantees high antibody concentrations whereas with
passive immunotherapy A epitopes can be targeted more efficiently and there is a more control
of antibodies. Additionally, neurologists believe passive immunotherapy could be more effective
in the elderly population with AD than active immunotherapy.
This article is helpful since it provides an indepth review of current Alzheimers
treatments. The review effectively uses data from several case studies and related studies in order
to demonstrate the effectiveness of FDA approved drugs and therapeutic treatments. This
medical review would be helpful to someone looking at the possible causes of AD through
genetic and neuropathological causes.
Reitza, Christiane, and Richard Mayeux. "Alzheimer disease: Epidemiology,
diagnostic criteria, risk factors and biomarkers." Biochemical Pharmacology
88.4 (2014): 64051. ScienceDirect . Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006295213008083>.
The article discusses the pathologies classifying Alzheimers disease such as amyloid,
neurofibrillary tangles, and hyperphosphorylated tau. The case study is observing the changes
and possible causes of Alzheimers disease. For instance, cerebrovascular changes, such as
cortical infarcts and white matter changes may increase the chance of a patients development of
AD. Moreover, smoking, metabolic syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and plasma lipid levels

accelerate the development of AD. Biomarkers are used in order to determine the disease risk of
developing AD such as plasma biomarkers and CSF biomarkers. Effectively using MRIs may
identify early onset AD during the early stages of development, where pathology processing
would become essential.
The article is helpful since it presents specific risk factors and biomarkers for
Alzheimers disease through multiple case studies. The case study effectively identifies new
biomarkers and pathologies of Alzheimers disease by referencing other scholarly sources. This
case study would be helpful to someone observing characteristics of a patient with Alzheimers
disease using qualitative data on the development of Alzheimers disease.
Rondeau, Virginie et al. Aluminum and Silica in Drinking Water and the
Risk of Alzheimers Disease or Cognitive Decline: Findings from 15 Year Followup
of the PAQUID Cohort. American Journal of Epidemiology 169.4
(2009): 489496. PMC . Web. 3 Nov. 2015. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
articles/PMC2809081/>.
The article discusses the association between Alzheimers disease and aluminum in
waterways. A study finds that intake of aluminum in rodents increases the presence of amyloid
plaques, which is considered a major risk factor for Alzheimers disease. The researcher
conducts clinical trials in which patients were observed over a 15 year period, where some
patients drink water a high aluminum concentration while others drink bottled water. The data
shows that 30% of the patients developed dementia after a 15 year follow up 70% of patients
developed Alzheimers disease while drinking aluminum exposed tap water. Low silica
concentrations and high concentrations of Al lead to an increase of AD patients however, the
topic remains controversial since other studies disprove this theory.
The article is helpful since it demonstrates a clinical trial in which a new possible cause
of AD is identified, which allows neurologists to learn more about the disease. The article
effectively uses data from the authors case study, neurological terminology, and references to
related case studies in order to support aluminums role of the development of Alzheimers
disease. This clinical trial would be helpful to someone researching the causes of Alzheimers
disease through lifestyle and environmental causes, such as aluminum concentrations in tap
water.
Schu, Matthew C., et al. "The Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease." Alzheimer's
Disease: Modernizing Concept, Biological Diagnosis and Therapy 28.2 (2012):
15-29. G2P. Web. 13 Sept. 2015. <http://www.genomes2people.org/
wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012-Schu-AD-Modernizing-Concept-Genetics-ofAD.pdf>.
The article discusses the genes linked with Alzheimers disease and possible therapy
treatments for patients with early-onset Alzheimers disease. Recent research suggests that the
three genes with dominant mutations in Alzheimers cases include: PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP.
The source discussed how early-onset Alzheimers is the most common form of dementia rather
than late-onset Alzheimers due to the rapid inheritance and progression of the disease.
Although early-onset Alzheimers is the most common, it is often undetected until the patients

neurological state can no longer be recalled. Therapy sessions for those developing early forms
of dementia include exposing the patient to familiar things and carrying out multiple genetic
screenings to locate the possible cause of the disease.
The article is helpful since it specifically addresses the genes that are correlated with the
development of early-onset Alzheimers disease. The articles effective usage of medical
terminology and various sources promotes the authors credibility. The article would help a
person interested in Alzheimers disease and its causes by providing a starting point to refine
their research into defining the core functions of the genes and how they are associated with
dementia.
Shen, Liang, and Hong-Fang Ji. "Vitamin D Deficiency is Associated With Increased Risk of
Alzheimer's disease and Dementia: Evidence from
Meta-analysis." Nutrition Journal 14.10 (2015): 76. Nutritional Journal.
=Web. 14 Sept. 2015. <http://www.nutritionj.com/content/pdf/s12937-015-0063-7.pdf>.
The article addresses current research which has connected vitamin D deficiency to the
development of Alzheimers disease and dementia. The importance of vitamin D in relation to
neurological functions include: brain development, the production of neurotransmitters, and the
storing of information. Neurologists conducted a study in which patients at risk for dementia
increased the amount of vitamin D in their dietary intake. The clinical trial discovered in the
meta-analysis of Alzheimers disease and vitamin D that cognitive impairment is a result of
vitamin D deficiency, meaning the lack of vitamin D could cause other neurological diseases
such as Schizophrenia and Parkinsons disease. The study concluded that a higher vitamin D
intake lowers the risk of developing Alzheimers disease, bringing a new way to prevent
dementia from further progression into Alzheimers disease and other neurological diseases.
The article was very helpful since it thoroughly addresses a new cause related to
Alzheimers disease and related neurological diseases, other than neurological and genetic
mutations. Although the article mostly focuses on the nutritional aspects effect on the formation
of the disease, the overall message that Alzheimers may not only be a disease derives through
genetics is a breakthrough in the world of science, leading to future related studies. The article is
helpful to someone who is looking for a scholarly source that addresses the specific causes of
Alzheimers disease, by allowing him/her to refine his/her research into defining external sources
in a patients environment contributing to their development of Alzheimers disease.
Shinozuka, Kenneth. My Simple Invention, Designed to Keep My Grandfather Safe.
Nov. 2014. TED. TED, Nov. 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2015. <https://www.ted.com/
talks/kenneth_shinozuka_my_simple_invention_designed_to_keep_my_grandfather_safe
>.
The video lecture discusses solutions for the wellbeing of Alzheimers patients through a
recent invention by the speaker, Kenneth Shinozuka. The speaker introduces his invention as a
pressure sensor tool at the bottom of the sock of the patient, which sends an alert to the
caregivers cell phone when the patient begins to wander. Alzheimers patients tend to wander
and experience physical symptoms such as dizziness and loss of muscle functions the sock

sensor would allow the caregiver to know when and where the patient begins to wander,
allowing them to come to the patients aid. The speaker uses the invention in Alzheimers
patients across the nation and is proven to have a perfect success rate. In addition, the speaker is
currently examining the correlations between the frequency of a patients nightly wandering and
his or her daily activities and diet.
The video is helpful since it addresses the new development of sensors to benefit
Alzheimers patients, leading to advancement in Alzheimers research. The speakers effective
usage of medical engineering terminology and references to his life experience as an
Alzheimers caretaker promotes his credibility. The video would be helpful to a person interested
in technological ways to improve the lifestyle of Alzheimers patients and how their nightly
wandering correlates with his or her diet and ability to perform activities.
Shuff, Norbert W., et al. "MRI of Hippocampal Volume Loss in Early Alzheimer's
Disease in Relation to ApoE Genotype and Biomarkers." Journal of Neurology
132.4 (2009): 1067-1077. Oxford Journals. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
<http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/132/4/1067.long>.
The article discusses the correlation of hippocampal sizes and the progression of
Alzheimers in patients. The study suggests that the hippocampus is directly impacted by
Alzheimers by reducing its size in comparison of a healthy person. The researchers began
conducting MRI studies on Alzheimers patients and healthy elders as a control, resulting in an
increased loss of volume in the hippocampus and MCI in Alzheimers patients. Additionally,
MRI screenings show the e4 allele is related with high hippocampal volume loss. The e4 allele is
considered a large risk factor for development of Alzheimers disease, speeding up progression
of early-onset Alzheimers in a patient.
The article is helpful since it addresses a new relationship to the development of
Alzheimers disease, causing an increase of research into hippocampal loss and Alzheimers
disease. The articles effective usage of data, references to other significant studies, and lack of
bias due to the abundance of data promotes the authors credibility. The article would be
beneficial to a person interested in neurological causes of Alzheimers disease by providing
specific information on the composition of an Alzheimers patients brain.
Tomljenovic, Lucija. "Aluminum and Alzheimer's Disease: After a Century of
Controversy, Is there a Plausible Link?" Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
23.4 (2011): 56798. ResearchGate . Web. 6 Nov. 2015.
< http://www.researchgate.net/publication/49682395_Aluminum_and_Alzheimer%27s4
Disease_After_a_Century_of_Controversy_Is_ re_a_Plausible_Link>.
The author argues that a small amount of AD cases are genetic, while environmental
causes are more likely the causes of most Alzheimers cases. Of the available environmental
factors, aluminum has the highest presence of histopathological markers associated with
Alzheimers. High Al concentrations in the brain negatively affect the entorhinal cortex,
amygdala, and hippocampus. Although multiple experiments confirmed the Al hypothesis,
some neurologists fail to detect Al concentrations in the brain while using highly sensitive

detection methods. The animal models used for the experiment are induced with Al
neurodegeneration. Aluminum toxicity is available in the environment in the forms of acid
rain, public water systems, canned foods, and vaccines, allowing the spread of AD by
environmental factors to spread rapidly.
The article is helpful since it presents data from a case study which identifies a new
possible source of AD, allowing neurologists to learn more about the development of the
disease. The article effectively uses data from the authors case study, neurological
terminology, and references to related studies in order to support aluminums role in
neurodegeneration. This case study would be helpful to someone researching the causes of
Alzheimers disease through lifestyle and environmental causes, such as aluminum
concentrations in tap water, canned foods, and vaccines.
Wray, Selina, and Wendy Noble. "Linking Amyloid and Tau Pathology in Alzheimers
Disease: The Role of Membrane Cholesterol in A Mediated Tau Toxicity."
Journal of Neuroscience 29.31 (2009): 996567.Journal of Neuroscience .
Web. 21 Sept. 2015. <http://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/31/9665.full.pdf>.
The source discusses the correlation of amyloid plaques (A) and abundance of tau in the
brain to the development of Alzheimers. The increased production of A leads to tau tangles,
also known as neurofibrillary tangles, and eventually, cell death. Alzheimers is diagnosed by the
buildup of amyloid plaques, which block neurons from sending messages to other parts of the
brain. In recent studies, it was concluded that an increase of cholesterol in the membranes of
immature neurons causes higher sensitivity when introduced to amyloid. Further research needs
to be conducted to view the effects of cholesterol levels on tau fragments in order to correctly
correlate both elements to the development of dementia.
The article is helpful since it addresses current research findings and adds to the public
knowledge of Alzheimers causes. The article effectively uses other studies in order to support
their thesis that Alzheimers is caused by the increase of A and tau neurofibrillary tangles in the
brain. This article would be beneficial to a person interested in researching neurological causes
of Alzheimers and investigate ways to prevent the buildup of A plaques and tau.